- Born in Paris, France, but raised in Tralee, Co. Kerry, Dillane earned his first three Connacht caps in interprovincial derbies last season, quickly marking himself out as a talented and athletic second row

- The dreadlocked Connacht Academy graduate, who signed a two-year contract with the province twelve months ago, tried a number of sports as a child. It was actually a five euro bribe from his mother, Kerry woman Ellen, that convinced himself and his brother Cian to try out rugby at Tralee RFC and he was soon hooked

- Dillane has played 18 times for Connacht so far, including 10 appearances during the current campaign. He made his European debut against Enisei-STM in sub-zero temperatures in Siberia in November, and followed up with PRO12 starts against Munster, Ulster and the Scarlets

- He is a proud product of Munster Junior club Tralee RFC and has lined out for Galway side Corinthians in the Ulster Bank League, including earlier this season against Nenagh Ormond

- Having impressed in the colours of Bangor Grammar School and Dungannon Rugby Club, McCloskey enjoyed a rapid rise at Ulster where he progressed from the sub-Academy to the Academy before signing his first professional contract (a two-year deal) as a senior player last January

- Known for his physical stature and powerful running, he had spells at scrum half and out-half during his schools career before gaining the size in his late teens that marked him out as a big ball-carrying centre

- McCloskey has struck up a potent centre partnership with Luke Marshall at Ulster this season, with big performances against the likes of the Ospreys, Toulouse and Saracens. Is in his second full season with the province and has scored four tries, five conversions and three penalties in 35 games to date

- Played for Emerging Ireland the last two summers, helping them to win the Nations Cup in Bucharest and the Tbilisi Cup in the Georgian capital. He was paired with the likes of Eoin Griffin and Noel Reid in midfield, and scored a try against Emerging Italy in Tbilisi last June

- One of the most consistent performers at provincial level in recent seasons, Stander was honoured as the first overseas player to win the Munster Rugby Player of the Year award at the tail-end of the 2014/15 campaign

- The powerfully-built back rower racked up seven man-of-the-match awards for Munster last season and has emerged as a real leader and inspirational captain for the Reds in the absence of Paul O'Connell and Peter O'Mahony

- The former South African Under-20 captain moved to Munster in October 2012 having played 16 times for the Bulls at Super Rugby level. He grew up on his family's dairy and vegetable farm in Grootboom, near George in South Africa, and became Irish-qualified by residency following the recent Rugby World Cup

- Signed a two-year contract extension last month, which will see him remain at Munster until at least June 2018. Scored his 23rd try on his 75th appearance for Munster against Stade Francais last week

- Off a conveyor belt of back row talent in Leinster, van der Flier made his senior debut for the province (against Zebre in October 2014) before completing his time in the Leinster Academy. He made the move up to the senior squad just last summer

- Making the most of his opportunities to play for UCD in the Ulster Bank League and Leinster 'A' in the British & Irish Cup, the former Wesley College student also won 11 caps for the Ireland Under-20s between 2013 and 2014

- A great reader of the game despite his tender years, he uses his frame to very good effect at openside flanker and has already made 11 starts in the Leinster number 7 jersey

- Is in his final year studying Sports Management at UCD, and cites Michael Jordan and Rory McIlroy as two of his sporting heroes